KNUST Hosts Global Conference on Sustainability; Academia and Industry Tackle Africa’s Business Challenges

The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, in collaboration with the Africa Academy of Management and the University of Texas Dallas, successfully hosted the 3rd Ann and Jack Graves Foundation Conference on January 13, 2025, at the KNUST School of Business. Under the theme “Sustainability as a Solution to Global Business Challenges: A Focus on Africa,” the conference provided a platform for academia, industry leaders, and policymakers to explore sustainable practices and solutions for addressing pressing business challenges in Africa.

In his welcome address, Dean of the KNUST School of Business, Professor Ahmed Agyapong, highlighted the university’s commitment to research and innovation in sustainability. He emphasized the value of collaborations between academia and industry in driving sustainable development on the continent.

Speaking at the event, Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, Professor (Mrs.) Rita Akosua Dickson, lauded the conference as a strategic effort aligned with the university’s mission of advancing knowledge and finding innovative solutions to global challenges. “The theme resonates strongly with KNUST’s agenda of integrating sustainability into education and development practices,” she stated.

A key highlight of the conference was a panel discussion on “Navigating Sustainability Reporting in the Extractive Sector: Challenges, Innovations, and Success Stories.” Esteemed panelists, including Dr. Tony Aubyn (Centre for Gender Studies and Advocacy, Ghana), Frank Boateng (University of Mines and Technology, Ghana), Francis Eduku (Chartered Institute of Human Resource Management, Ghana), and Nana Appia Kyei (Kosmos Energy, Ghana), shared insights on addressing sustainability gaps within Africa’s extractive industries.

The conference underscored the importance of embedding sustainability in business operations, leveraging innovative research, and fostering cross-sectoral collaborations to achieve long-term economic growth and environmental resilience in Africa.